Trump’s Assault on Trans History: Rewriting Stonewall’s Legacy
In the heart of Greenwich Village, amidst the bustling metropolis of New York City, stands the iconic Stonewall National Monument, a testament to the pivotal LGBTQ+ uprising that ignited a movement for civil rights. However, the Trump administration’s relentless attacks on the transgender community have cast a shadow over this historic site, threatening to erase a crucial chapter from our collective memory.
A Historic Site Under Siege
As I stood outside the Christopher Street subway entrance last week, I surveyed the familiar surroundings. Starbucks, Chase Bank, and a cluster of bars lined the street, but across from where I stood was a triangular strip of fenced grass adorned with park benches. A defaced sign on the monument’s entrance caught my eye, reading "Stonewall National TRANSGENDER Monument." This graffiti served as a poignant reminder of Valentine’s Day, when the National Park Service (NPS) removed the words "transgender" and "queer" from the Stonewall website.
Erased Histories and Recast Narratives
The website’s alteration stands as a grim echo of the Trump administration’s systematic assault on transgender individuals. It has barred gender-affirming care for minors, prohibited trans women from participating in women’s sports, banned trans people from military service, and declared that the United States would only recognize two genders: male and female.
In their crusade against "transgender insanity," the administration has resorted to rewriting history. Future visitors to Stonewall will encounter a distorted version of the monument, a whitewashed account far removed from the truth. The LGBTQ+ community is responding with protest and resilience, but an underlying dread lingers about the future.
A Dissenting Voice
In contrast to the administration’s actions, the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, opened in 2024, stands in solidarity with the transgender community. A fan in the window proclaims "trans and proud," accompanied by a statement emphasizing that the non-profit organization operating the space is independent from the NPS.
"Our space is inextricably linked with and honors the brave pioneers, especially trans and gender-nonconforming individuals, who led the Stonewall Rebellion," the statement declares.
The Forgotten History of Stonewall
The Stonewall Rebellion, also known as the Stonewall Uprising or Stonewall riots, was a multi-day revolt in 1969 that began with a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people, particularly gender-nonconforming individuals. Trans women played a pivotal role in this rebellion and became icons of the pride movement.
Inside the visitor center, an open-plan space unfolds before the eyes. A film plays in the back, flanked by rows of chairs. Informative displays and photos adorn the walls, while an information desk and gift shop serve as a hub for visitors. The jukebox, a replica of the original one from the Stonewall Inn, plays music in the background.
Next to the help desk, a Parsons art installation features blank notebooks where visitors can share their stories. I opened one that asked, "When did you know?" I flipped through the pages, reading brief expressions of self-discovery, words of encouragement, and poignant reflections on the transgender experience.
The Legacy of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera
Across from the notebooks, an exhibit titled "The Stories of Stonewall" delves into the history of the bar, Greenwich Village, and the uprising. A section is dedicated to the founders of Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries (STAR), Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. A renowned quote by Johnson, who was present at Stonewall, graces the wall: "No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us."
It is deeply troubling that pride and liberation remain under attack 56 years after Stonewall.
A Park in Transformation
I exited the visitor center and wandered through the park, my gaze drawn to the displays that will likely undergo revisions in the coming months. A card addressed to the "darling trans community" and a flower adorn a photo of Johnson. Scanning the QR code on the card leads to the NPS website’s trans-exclusionary version.
Yet, there are signs that the Trump administration’s influence has not yet fully permeated Christopher Park. A trans pride flag flutters in the breeze, surrounded by smaller progress pride flags. None of the signs featuring the LGBTQ+ acronym have been altered.
A Monument to Solidarity and Resilience
At the heart of the park stand two bronze statues depicting same-sex couples. Someone has placed pink and blue flower bouquets in the arms of the lesbian couple. As I gazed at these sculptures, I reflected on the role of trans people in the Stonewall Uprising and the foundation they laid for LGBTQ+ rights.
Republicans would prefer to erase this history, but we must resist their attempts. The spirit of Stonewall must continue to guide us as we denounce the Trump administration’s attacks on transgender individuals.
A Promise from the Bar
I concluded my afternoon at the Stonewall Inn, its iconic neon sign beckoning me in from the cold. Inside, Cardi B’s "I Like It" filled the air, contrasting with the bar’s dark wood paneling and twinkling fairy lights. Fire crackled on television screens, adding to the ambiance.
As I sat at the bar, I contemplated what I had witnessed. My freedom to enjoy this space, and any gay bar in New York City, was forged by the trans pioneers who stood up at Stonewall. As members of the LGBTQ+ community, we must stand in solidarity with our trans brothers and sisters. We will not let their existence be erased from our history.
We must remember the truth of what happened at Stonewall and carry its spirit forward in our ongoing resistance against the Trump administration’s hateful policies.
